The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA) congratulates Muslims throughout the world, and specifically in the US, on the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan and announces the following:

Wednesday, May 16th, 2018 will be the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan. We ask Allah to make it a month filled with goodness, blessings, and closeness to Him. We came to this decision after confirmation of the sighting of the crescent in California. Also, there have been reports of sighting in Mali.

The Resident Fatwa Committee of AMJA has always adopted the opinion that if the moon is sighed from a trustworthy source(s) anywhere in the world that shared part of the night with the United States of America, and with the condition that the moon sighting is astronomically possible, then that marks the beginning of Ramadan. AMJA acknowledges other valid and legitimate opinions that disagree with the aforementioned decision and we encourage Muslims to accept and respect other opinions.

Thus, we send this announcement and praise Allah, the all mighty, and ask Him to lift the hardship placed on Muslims throughout the world, and especially in Syria, we ask Allah to bless this month of Ramadan and to guide us to the best and to accept our good deeds, Ameen.